Tilikum Place Cafe Awards

Tilikum Place Cafe Restaurant Review:

Taking its name from “tilikum,” the word for “welcome” in the language of the Chinook tribe, the restaurant does well in honoring the word's meaning. Find a seat at one of the small, almost too close together wooden tables, or settle in at the marble bar. Simple décor creates an inviting setting, while wooden floors, fresh flowers and soft lighting add romantic edges to the brick interior. Chef Ba Culbert prepares straightforward dishes that are sophisticated without being pretentious, and satisfying without being weighty. The menu might include striped bass with saffron and lemon, grilled rib-eye with smoked paprika butter, and crisped pan-seared chicken. For lunch, there are tempting quiches and a puffy Dutch baby pancake that may boast duck confit, apricots and goat cheese, or other innovative pairings. Desserts range from profiteroles with a rosemary-infused caramel sauce to a chocolate tart; homemade ice creams are always worth ordering. The wine list in approachable and affordable. Gracious waitstaff further validate Tilikum’s moniker.